Scientific Research

Update on Research in Homeopathy – Part 23

bryonia alba
Written by Robert Medhurst

Homeopath Robert Medhurst presents part 23 in his series on research in homeopathy. This is excellent material to counter critics.

The critics of homeopathy consistently declare that there’s no evidence to support homeopathy. This isn’t true. They know it and so does anyone who bothers to look for it. The bigger issue is that the general public, the people who could really benefit from it, either hear nothing about the evidence for homeopathy or hear the occasional declarations in the media that it doesn’t work. What follows is some ammunition that you can use to counter this, in the form of some highlights in research in homeopathy.

 

Human Research

  1. Muscari-Tomaioli G, et al. Observational Study of Quality of Life in patients with Headache, receiving Homeopathic Treatment. British Homoeopathic Journal, 2001, 9, 4, 189-97. In this study, 53 people suffering from headaches were treated by the individual study authors using constitutionally prescribed homeopathic medicines, completing SF-36 health-related quality of life questionnaires before and 4-6 months after beginning the treatment. More the 60% of the subjects experienced an improvement in the condition.

 

  1. Oberbaum M, et al. The effect of the homeopathic remedies Arnica montana and Bellis perennis on mild postpartum bleeding–a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study: preliminary results. Complement Ther Med, 2005 13, 2, 87-90. Forty women experiencing post-partum bleeding were randomly assigned to receive a mixture of Arnica 30C and Bellis 30C, Arnica 6C and Bellis 6C, or placebo. Mean haemoglobin values were measured at 72 hours post-partum, at which point it was found that those women given homeopathic therapy experienced significantly less change in haemoglobin values than those given placebo.

 

  1. Pai PN. Thiosinaminum in the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis with Calcaneal Spurs. British Homoeopathic Journal, 1992, Oct, 81, 173-175. In this uncontrolled study, 43 people suffering from plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spurs were treated with homeopathic Thiosinimum, Thiosinimum and Merc cor, or Thiosinimum and Merc biniod. Thiosinimum alone proved to be the therapy most likely to be helpful in resolving recently developed cases.

 

  1. Popov A.V. Homoeopathy in the Treatment of Patients with Fibromyoma of the Uterus. British Homoeopathic Journal, 1992, Oct, 81, 164-167. In this study, 84 women suffering from various forms of uterine fibromyoma were prescribed individualised homeopathic medicines over a period of 1 to 3 years. Assessments at the end of the treatment period found that pain was improved in 79% of the subjects, abnormal bleeding was improved in 75% of subjects and in the majority of subjects the treatment resulted in a reduction of fibromyoma volume.

 

  1. Rai Y. Treatment of Drug Dependants with Homoeopathy. CCRH Quarterly Bulletin, 16, 3&4, 1994, 25-28. 261 people suffering from symptoms related to the withdrawal from drugs of dependence were treated with individualised homoeopathy. Remedies were given at 8 to 12 hours after ceasing use of the drug. 209 (80%) of the subjects found the treatment to be effective.

 

  1. Riveron-Garrote M, et al. Clinical Trial of Asthma, Boletin Mexicano, 1998, 31, 54-61. In this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, 63 asthma sufferers were treated for 4 months with either specific homoeopathic remedies or placebo. Assessed using peak flow rates, 97% of those taking homoeopathic medicines and 12% or those taking placebo experienced an improvement.

 

Animal Research

  1. Labrecque G., bryonia_albaGuilleminot J. Effect of Bryonia on Experimental Arthritis in Rats. Berlin Journal of Research in Homoeopathy, 1991, 1, 3, 169, (Congress Report Poster). In this study, 35 male rats suffering from arthritis were treated with placebo or 4X, 4C or 9C potencies of homeopathic Bryonia for 15 days and assessed at various stages using grip strength body weight as assessment criteria. At the end of the treatment period, all of the Bryonia potencies had improved the condition when compared to placebo, with Bryonia 4C providing the best outcomes.
  1. Rajkumar R, et al. Effect of a Homeopathic complex on oestrus induction and hormonal profile in anoestrus cows. Homeopathy, 2006, 95, 3, 131-5. From a group of 12 anoestrus cows, 6 were selected to receive treatment with a combination of homeopathic medicines, given as 15 pills twice daily for 10 days. The remaining 6 cows acted as untreated controls. The treatment was effective in inducing oestrus in all of the 6 treated cows with an average of 1 conception per 1.83 services. In addition, the researchers found that oestradiol levels in the treated cows almost doubled from pre-treatment levels. Treatment results were seen at a mean interval of 27.5+/-5.3 days.

 

Plant Research

  1. Banerjee P, Sukul S. Cuprum Sulphuricum – a homeopathic drug can combating toxic effect of Cu, promote seed germination and peroxidase activity in Vigna unguiculata. Int J High Dilution Res, 2013, 12, 44, 129-130. Proceedings of the XXVII GIRI Symposium; 2013 Sep03-04; Bern (Switzerland) 129, High concentration of copper can cause toxic effects in some plants due to its redox properties and can catalyze free radicals, such as reactive oxygen species and peroxide compounds. This Indian study was performed to examine the effect of homeopathically prepared copper sulphate 200C on seed germination of Vigna unguiculata. 3 sets of 100 seeds were prepared for germination. 2 sets were soaked in copper sulphate 200C and the third in a control substance. All were then exposed to material doses of copper sulphate. The seedling weight and length of germinating axis were observed after 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours. Water uptake percentages were recorded, total protein, chlorophyll, soluble and insoluble sugar were measured and the activity of peroxidase was determined. The results confirmed that in all the parameters observed, copper sulphate 200C-treated seeds showed significant changes as compared to controls.

 

In-Vitro Research

  1. De A, et al. Potentized homeopathic drug Arsenicum Album 30C inhibits intracellular reactive oxygen species generation and up-regulates expression of arsenic resistance gene in arsenine-exposed bacteria Escherichia coli. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao, 2012, 10, 2, 210-27. In more useful work from India’s University of Kalyani, researchers looked into the effects of homeopathically prepared Arsenic trioxide (Arsenicum album) on arsenic toxicity in E. coli. The bacteria were grown in a sub-bacteriocidal concentration of sodium arsenite and exposed to Arsenicum 30C or several controls via a randomised schedule and were assessed for glucose uptake, specific activities of hexokinase, lipid peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase, intra- and extra-cellular sodium arsenite content, cell growth, cell membrane potential, DNA damage, intracellular reactive oxygen species, adenosine triphosphate, free glutathione content and expressions of arsB and ptsG genes. On analysis and in comparison to the controls used, it was found that the use of Arsenicum 30C was associated with a reduced arsenic toxicity in E. coli by inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species and increasing the tolerance to arsenite.

About the author

Robert Medhurst

Robert Medhurst BNat DHom DBM DRM DNutr is an Australian Naturopath & Homeopath with 40 years of clinical experience. He has written many articles and lectured on homeopathy throughout Australia and the U.S. Robert previously set up and operated 5 natural therapies practices in Sydney and Adelaide and was involved in teaching and medical research. He was formerly the Expert Advisor on Homeopathy to the Federal Government of Australia, Dept. of Health & Ageing. He specialises in homeopathy and is the author of The Business of Healing, the definitive guide for clinical practice establishment and management, as well as The Concordant Clinical Homeopathic Repertory. For more information see adelaidehillsnaturopath.com.au.

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